Usability Testing

Watching users try to accomplish tasks on your site is the most effective and efficient way to uncover usability problems. This course will empower you to conduct quick and cheap usability tests throughout the project lifecycle, without having to set up an official lab. Learn the benefits of traditional user testing techniques and online testing tools. You will learn how to facilitate sessions, develop test plans, analyze data, and present the findings.

This course is ideal for people who are new to user testing or have some user testing experience, but no formal training.

"Nuts and bolts information about how to perform user testing will be extremely valuable in our redesign process."

James Kreuziger
University of California, Irvine

Topics Covered

Step-by-step instruction on how to conduct your own usability studies

Why watching users attempt activities is better than interviewing them about their behavior

Differences between quantitative and qualitative studies, and when to conduct them

Discount usability testing: Is 4-6 participants enough?

Benefit of spreading budget across multiple small studies through iterative design

Measuring and tracking usability

Can new users quickly use the system?

How fast can users accomplish tasks?

Do people have re-learn how to use the system the second time they use it?

Where and when do users encounter errors?

Subjective satisfaction through post-task questionnaire

Determining scope of study, what to test and observe

Why you're ready to test now; testing at every stage of the project lifecycle

Attendee Feedback

"An outstanding job of breaking down the importance and then the steps for user testing and the class was very engaging and informative. I'm looking forward to implementing my newly acquired knowledge."

"Enjoyed the pacing with which the information was delivered. It was well laid out, easily digestable and simple to reference the supplied materials."

"I thought the mix of lecture and hands-on activities was very well balanced. She was good at making people feel comfortable participating. The material was interesting and clearly presented. I especially liked the use of the video clips. Also, the class size was perfect!"

Instructors

Hoa Loranger is VP at Nielsen Norman Group and has worked in user experience for over 15 years. She conducts research worldwide, and presents keynotes and training on best practices for interface design. Hoa has consulted for companies such as Microsoft, HP, Allstate, Samsung, Verizon, and Disney. She authors publications, including a book, Prioritizing Web Usability. Read more about Hoa

Kara Pernice is the Managing Director at Nielsen Norman Group. Pernice uniquely combines her 20-plus years of research knowledge with her design experience and business education to help organizations derive interfaces which are usable, useful, and surpass business goals. Pernice is accomplished at evaluating any design situation to determine or craft the most fitting research method, conduct or lead the research, observe and analyze user behavior, and convert this analysis into outstanding design. Pernice has led hundreds of intercontinental research studies, and is expert in many usability methods. Read more about Kara